My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You might be the early-bird that loves the cool wash of dawn daylight, or you might fancy the warm wash of the golden-hour sunset glow. Upper Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon carved out of the Navajo Sandstone rock and was the place where the most expensive photo ever sold was taken - (Peter Lik's "The ghost") - for over $6 million. Upper Antelope Canyon is about of a mile in each direction inside the canyon and the floor is flat. But getting Teresa Bitler is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, American Way, Wine Enthusiast, and AAA publications. But the tour guides and most other tourists are surprisingly considerate of photographers, so we still didn't have any trouble getting lots of good pictures. Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. Here, we step you through the process of how to visit this astonishing place. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040. We took the Lower Antelope Canyon Photography Tour and saw first hand how tour guides herded tourists through like cattle. Each vehicle has a Navajo guide that ushers the group through, shares information about the formations and even helps stage some photos, including sand cascading over a rock ledge.Sand is everywhere. Because the slot is truly amazing all the way in any time of the day, in any kind of sunlight, upside down and inside out. Difficulty:There are no stairs or ladders in the canyon, but it does require walking on sandy terrain. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. If you (like me) are middle-aged, overweight, out of shape, or not used to the 7000-ft altitude, you may have trouble with the steep climb out of the canyon. I was excited to return and try to capture its beauty with my newer equipment and techniques. Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. Ticket prices include the cost of an $8 permit required to enter the Navajo lands. The first thing to know about Antelope Canyon is that these are slot canyons. There are plenty of affordable places to stay in Page, AZ, but these are our favorites because they have a stunning view and hotel pool and are super affordable: Best Western View of Lake Powell Check Prices, Best Western Plus at Lake Powell Check Prices. Ive hiked at many different locations with just a downloaded Google Map and it was super useful. The whole experience at Antelope was rushed and there is no option to go to Antelope Canyon without a guided tour. 1600 feet long. One last note, in the cavern where we hit the first ladder and turned around, we found a bunch of graffiti left by tourists on the walls, written in what I think was white chalk. Learn more about coverage options for frequent travelers and those with multiple upcoming trips. Our earlier visit was definitely not as nerve-wracking! HB is a longer, more continuous slot than AC, but is beautiful in its own way. Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon's entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. And boy what a photo session that was. Travelers typically enjoy the tours, saying they appreciate the guides' insight. There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. I recommend all these canyons regardless of cost. It cant just be tours, right? Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long (or 200 m) with the Lower Antelope Canyon being about 1,335 feet long (or 407 m). If you want to take great pictures then I recommend the Secret Canyon tour as it is much easier to get the time and space to do that without people constantly wandering into the view of your lens. Where is Antelope Canyon? The landscape and scenery were amazing and definitely not something I had seen before on the east coast. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. On the company's sightseer tours, you'll spend about an hour in the canyon, plus 40 minutes round-trip travel time to the Antelope Canyon Tours office in Page, Arizona. I definitely recommend you to protect the camera because it gets dusty but if you are careful, you should be fine . Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Page. The Upper Canyon is a much deeper but slightly wider canyon to walk through. (Getty Images). For the most part, we had this slot canyon to ourselves. Slot canyons are always significantly deeper than they are wide. Youve probably seen the landscape in photos or shared online, and you may be wondering how much of a tourist hot spot it really is. Tickets, which do not include park entrance fees and taxes, cost approximately $50 for visitors 13 and older and $30 for those 4 to 12. Im planning to go there mid-September . Still, we were happy to have seen both canyons and discover what makes each of them special. Maximum group size is now 25 (it was 15 when we did our Secret Canyon tour) and only one tour group is in the canyon at a time. We are storytellers. It depends on a few things, such as your time constraints (if any), tolerance (or lack thereof) for crowds and fitness level. Most tours begin in Page or at the park's entrance off Highway 98. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. I think we took the 9.30 tour. The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. It is also called Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon as it is near to that iconic viewpoint. The temperatures will be lower, yes, but so will the crowds. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. The deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good equipment and technique capturing images of the natural beauty is possible. Additional tour companies depart from Flagstaff, Arizona, or Las Vegas and combine their daylong excursions to Antelope Canyon with trips to other natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you're set on a visit to the Upper Canyon, you'll have four time slots to choose from for the 90-minute tour. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. Since Secret Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour, I was glad that the sole option available to us was a good one- small groups of 15 max, an hour to spend in the canyon, and no other tour groups coming through at the same time. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17403288', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon is your best bet. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We ended up staying at Courtyard because both of the Best Westerns were booked up for our dates. Secret Canyon, which also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (due to its proximity to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook photo above) lies approximately 15 km south from Page where you can also find the office the place where it all starts from. It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. Antelope island vs. Antelope Canyon 13:39; Page Az to south Rim GC yesterday; Page, AZ, hotel pick-up for Lower Antelope Canyon tours 22 February 2023; visiting upper and lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Let's explore the world together. Or a handstand, may I add I really truly hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours will keep their mission to keep the Secret Canyon as secret and private as it gets. The large parking lot is able to accommodate boats, buses and RVs.The Bear's Den B&BOwners "Bubba and Deb-B" operate this cozy three-room bed and breakfast in Page that's fully ADA-compliant. For tour information and prices clickhere. The journey to Canyon X begins MP 307.8 on Highway 98 near Page, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. The guided tour is $48 per person and lasts about 90 minutes. So I asked around, did some research and discovered Horseshoe Bend Tours, a company that has exclusive access to Secret Canyon and a private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend. To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. Would you believe me if I told you theres a slot canyon that looks just like the famous Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons that you can hike all on your own? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17407433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lake Powell Blvd. Turn Right on US-89 North and stay on US-89 North for roughly 122-miles. I hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours keeps Secret Canyon a small-group experience because Ive seen too many places lose their magic because of over-tourism. With just a small number of guests, you'll have ample time to photograph and truly immerse yourself in this magical location. *Infants & children under age 6 are not permitted. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Antelope Canyon is like no other spot on earth. Canyon X: This section is named after an area that forms an X-shape. Amenities include pillowtop mattresses, a small fridge and microwave, private bathrooms, and plenty of bear decor.Shash Dine' Eco-RetreatFor a truly unique stay, book a Najavo hogan or sheepherder wagon at this sustainable glamping campsite and B&B operated by Baya, a member of the Navajo Nation. A light long sleeved shirt would also provide good sun protection, and dont forget your sunscreen. It is the most famous of the two canyons because of the highly distinctive light beams and the incredibly high canyon walls . Just make sure you take it out with you after the tour.Don't: Bring bags, purses, fanny packs, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, food and drinksall are prohibited in the canyon. So, I did my share of online digging and found the Secret Canyon an intimate version of the slot canyon, which was definitely the highlight of our South West USA road trip. It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. This is Navajo Land, we are guests, and should be thankful that they have let us hike the majestic canyon. This is so gorgeous here!! Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. For this reason, many people opt to stay overnight at least one evening (see "Where to stay"). Description. From exhilarating roller coasters to costumed characters, these parks offer fun for everyone. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Our shaded, open-air 4x4 tour truck takes you on a thrilling six-mile off-road adventure to the entrance of Secret Antelope Canyon, followed by a 300-meter nature walk to the stunning slot canyon. Cairns, little piles of rocks, and footprints both mark the trail so we did not have a problem finding our way in and out of the slot canyon. See "What to bring" below for more specific items. In this age of Internet and social media, its easy to feel like there are few discoveries left when it comes to great travel destinations. Information was updated January 2022, but can change without notice. It was a stunning location, made even better by not having to share it with hundreds of other tourists (which we could see from our exclusive viewpoint). Hotel review: ALO Hotel by Ayres (Anaheim, California, USA), 10 things to do in Bali with bonus saving tips, Snorkeling in Maldives: a moment of reflection, Snorkljanje na Maldivih in minuta za samorefleksijo. Canyon X is a private tour, only offered through Overland Canyon tours. She is the author of two guidebooks and a contributor to Fodors Arizona & The Grand Canyon. Our guide gave us an introduction to the area and told us we could go ahead at our own pace, as he was going to accompany the elderly members of our group and meet us at the other end of the canyon. It feels like a whole other planet! This exclusive access allows you to have a much shorter walk to the rim and enjoy breathtaking views of the Colorado River winding around the Horseshoe Bend loop. Book now to secure your spot on this unforgettable adventure.. Tours typically depart hourly from 8am until 4pm (depending on daylight hours). The Tour Experience - Opting for the morning tour, we set off at 8am and jumped into an open air 4WD safari-like vehicle for a 20minute drive toward the canyon. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. / Credit: John Volk, Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake Powell, Embark on the Northern Arizona Road Trip of Your Dreams, A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way', A Guide to Visiting Havasu Falls the 'Right Way', Arizonas Wildly Different Desert Regions. The three canyons visited on the canyon tours are fairly easy to walk (a little climbing over/under rocks, but nothing major), are still very pretty and were completely deviod of other people (just me, my wife, the guide and a great horned owlhow cool is that). The entrance to Secret Canyon was a little snowy, as its more open than other parts of the slot, but I loved the contrast of the white snow with the orange rock (something I wasnt expecting to see in a desert). We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. I guess you never know what style of guide youll get, but the one we had was a good fit for our personalities. Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. The Monument Valley Hotel Everyone is Flocking To | The View Hotel. Once you get there just dont forget to breathe. 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